Collection system for managing outflow from a surgical procedure

ABSTRACT

A fluid collection system includes a vacuum source, a collection vessel, and a surgical drape. A fluid outflow line is connected between the surgical drape and the collection vessel. The fluid outflow line provides a path for fluid to the collection vessel. A suction line is connected with the collection vessel. The suction line provides suction to draw fluid through the fluid outflow line to the collection vessel. The suction line branches into a first suction line and a second suction line parallel with the first suction line. The first suction line and the second suction line are each connected with the vacuum source. A flow restrictor is disposed along the first suction line. A valve is disposed along the second suction line. The valve is opened in a pulsatile fashion when fluid is present in the surgical drape to increase a level of suction provided to the surgical drape.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/985,631 filed Aug. 5, 2020. The entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to surgical systems and, moreparticularly, to a collection system for managing outflow from agynecological surgical procedure.

BACKGROUND

Surgical procedures, such as tissue resection procedures, may beperformed endoscopically within an organ, such as a uterus, by insertingan endoscope into the uterus and passing a tissue resection devicethrough the endoscope and into the uterus. With respect to suchendoscopic tissue resection procedures, it often is desirable to distendthe uterus with a fluid, for example, saline, sorbitol, or glycine. Theinflow and outflow of the fluid during the procedure maintains theuterus in a distended state and flushes tissue and other debris fromwithin the uterus to maintain a visible working space.

SUMMARY

In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a collection system formanaging outflow from a gynecological surgical procedure includes asurgical instrument, a vacuum source, a first collection vessel, and afirst fluid outflow line connected between the surgical instrument andthe first collection vessel. The first fluid outflow line provides anoutflow path for fluid from the surgical instrument to the firstcollection vessel. A first suction line is connected between the vacuumsource and the first collection vessel. The first suction line providessuction to draw fluid from the surgical instrument to the firstcollection vessel. A surgical drape is positioned to collect liquid. Asecond fluid outflow line is connected between the surgical drape and asecond collection vessel. The second fluid outflow line provides anoutflow path for fluid from the surgical drape to the second collectionvessel. A second suction line is connected with the second collectionvessel. The second suction line provides suction to draw fluid from thesurgical drape to the second collection vessel. A portion of the secondsuction line branches between a third suction line and a fourth suctionline arranged in-parallel with the third suction line. The third suctionline and the fourth suction line are each connected with the vacuumsource. A flow restrictor is disposed along the third suction line. Avalve is disposed along the fourth suction line. The valve is opened ina pulsatile fashion when fluid is present in the surgical drape toincrease a level of suction provided to the surgical drape.

In some aspects of the disclosure, a sensor is connected with the thirdsuction line and the valve. The sensor detects a presence of fluid inthe surgical drape. The sensor opens the valve in the pulsatile fashionto suction fluid from the surgical drape to the second collectionvessel. The sensor detects the presence of fluid in the surgical drapebased on an increase in pressure in the third suction line.

In some aspects of the disclosure, opening or closing of the valvemaintains at least some suction at the surgical instrument when fluid ispresent in the surgical drape. The valve remains closed when fluid isabsent from the surgical drape.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the first suction line is coupled tothe second suction line.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the amount of suction provided to thesurgical drape when fluid is present in the surgical drape is less thana maximum suction level that can be provided by the vacuum source.

In some aspects of the disclosure, a first end of the second fluidoutflow line is connected with a bottom of the surgical drape, and asecond end of the second fluid outflow line is connected with a top ofthe second collection vessel. The second fluid outflow line suctionsfluid against a force of gravity from the surgical drape to the secondcollection vessel.

In some aspects of the disclosure, an operating console operates thevacuum source. The operating console includes a display device.

Other features of the disclosure will be appreciated from the followingdescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate aspects and features of thedisclosure and, together with the detailed description below, serve tofurther explain the disclosure, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a collection system for managing outflow from agynecological surgical procedure for use in accordance with the aspectsand features of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first portion of the collection systemof FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second portion of the collectionsystem of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion that is beingdescribed which is further from a user, while the term “proximal” refersto the portion that is being described which is closer to a user.Further, to the extent consistent, any of the aspects and featuresdetailed herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the otheraspects and features detailed herein.

The term “about” as used herein may be inclusive of the stated value andmeans within an acceptable range of variation for the particular valueas determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, consideringtolerances (e.g., material, manufacturing, use, environmental, etc.) aswell as the measurement in question and the error associated withmeasurement of the particular quantity (e.g., the limitations of themeasurement system). For example, “about:” may mean within one or morestandard deviations of the stated value.

Descriptions of technical features or aspects of an exemplaryconfiguration of the disclosure should typically be considered asavailable and applicable to other similar features or aspects in anotherexemplary configuration of the disclosure. Accordingly, technicalfeatures described herein according to one exemplary configuration ofthe disclosure may be applicable to other exemplary configurations ofthe disclosure, and thus duplicative descriptions may be omitted herein.

Exemplary configurations of the disclosure will be described more fullybelow (e.g., with reference to the accompanying drawings). Likereference numerals may refer to like elements throughout thespecification and drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1 a surgical system provided in accordance withaspects of the disclosure is shown generally identified by referencenumeral 100. Surgical system 100 may include surgical system 200described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2 and surgicalsystem 300 described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 3.Surgical system 100 may include each of the surgical systems 200 and 300that are each connected with a common control console 130 and a commonvacuum source 101. However, each of surgical systems 200 and 300 mayoperate as standalone systems.

The surgical system 100 is a collection system that may be employed formanaging outflow from a gynecological surgical procedure. Surgicalsystem 100 includes a surgical instrument 112 (e.g., a handpiece forgynecological procedures such as a hysteroscope, tissue resectioninstrument, etc.), a vacuum source 101, a first collection vessel 150,and a first fluid outflow line 180 connected between the surgicalinstrument 112 and the first collection vessel 150. The first fluidoutflow line 180 provides an outflow path for fluid from the surgicalinstrument 112 to the first collection vessel 150. A first suction line190 is connected between the vacuum source 101 and the first collectionvessel 150. The first suction line 190 provides suction to draw fluidfrom the surgical instrument 112 to the first collection vessel 150. Asurgical drape 110 is positioned to collect liquid. A second fluidoutflow line 181 is connected between the surgical drape 110 and asecond collection vessel 151. The second fluid outflow line 181 providesan outflow path for fluid from the surgical drape 110 to the secondcollection vessel 151. A second suction line 191 is connected with thesecond collection vessel 151. The second suction line 191 providessuction to draw fluid from the surgical drape 110 to the secondcollection vessel 151. The second suction line 191 branches between athird suction line 192 and a fourth suction line 193 arrangedin-parallel with the third suction line 192. The third suction line 192and the fourth suction line 193 are each connected with the vacuumsource 101. A flow restrictor 194 is disposed along the third suctionline 192. A valve 195 is disposed along the fourth suction line 193.

The valve 195 is opened, e.g., in a pulsatile fashion, when fluid ispresent in the surgical drape 110 to increase a level of suctionprovided to the surgical drape 110. The valve 195 remains in a closedconfiguration when fluid is not present in the surgical drape 110.

A first end 182 of the second fluid outflow line 181 is connected with abottom 117 of the surgical drape 110. A second end 184 of the secondfluid outflow line 181 is connected with a top 152 of the secondcollection vessel 151. The second fluid outflow line 181 provides a pathfor fluid to be suctioned from the surgical drape 110 to the secondcollection vessel 151.

An operating console 130 operates the vacuum source 101. The operatingconsole 130 includes a display device 131, such as a digital touchscreen display. The valve 195, flow restrictor 194, sensor 196, vacuumsource 101, and portions of the suction lines 190, 191, 192 and/or 193can be located in the operating console 130, or each of these componentscan be separate from the operating console 130.

A sensor 196 is connected with the third suction line 192 and the valve195. The sensor 196 detects a presence of fluid in the surgical drape110 based on an increase in pressure in the second suction line 192.

The first suction line 190 may be at least partially coupled to thesecond suction line 191. For example, at least one elastomeric band 197or other suitable mechanical, e.g., clip, tie, etc., may secure thefirst suction line 190 to the second suction line 191.

In use, the vacuum source 101 is configured to simultaneously providesuction to each of the surgical instrument 112 and the surgical drape110. However, the surgical drape 110 is generally open to atmosphere andan amount of suction provided to the surgical instrument 112 isgenerally not equal to the amount of suction provided to surgical drape110. Generally, when fluid is present at the surgical drape 110 anamount of suction provided to the surgical drape 110 increases to drawthe fluid from the surgical drape 110 to the second collection vessel151.

As an example, a maximum amount of suction that can be provided by thevacuum source 101 may be about 300mmHG, which is distributed between thesurgical instrument 112 and the surgical drape 110. When fluid is notpresent in the surgical drape 110, about 200mmHG of suction is providedto the surgical instrument 112, while about 100mmHG of suction isprovided to the surgical drape 110 via third suction line 192. In thiscircumstance, the valve 195 remains closed and suction is not providedthrough fourth suction line 193. However, when fluid is present in thesurgical drape 110, the valve 195 may be triggered to open and thussuction is provided through third suction line 192 and fourth suctionline 193 in-parallel. Thus, when fluid is present in the surgical drape110, the distribution of suction is changed such that about 200mmHG ofsuction is provided to the surgical drape 110, while about 100mmHG ofsuction is provided to the surgical instrument 112. In this arrangement,some level of suction is always provided to each of the surgical drape110 and the surgical instrument 112. When fluid is present in thesurgical drape 110, the valve 195 is moved from a closed position to anopen position, e.g., in a pulsatile fashion, such that the flow throughfourth suction line 193 is “throttled” (i.e., repeatedly pulsed from aclosed position to an open position) such that suction is simultaneouslyprovided through each of suction lines 192 and 193. Throttling the flowthrough the fourth suction line 193 increases the suction provided tothe surgical drape (e.g., from about 100mmHG to about 200mmHG) whilepartially and temporarily reducing suction at the surgical instrument112 (e.g., from about 200mmHG to about 100mmHG). This allows fluid to bedrawn out of the surgical drape 110 to the second collection vessel 151at an increased rate, while maintaining a sufficient level of suction atthe surgical instrument 112.

Referring to FIG. 2 a surgical system provided in accordance withaspects of the disclosure is shown generally identified by referencenumeral 200. Surgical system 200 generally includes a surgicalinstrument 210, a control console 230, and a collection vessel 250.Surgical system 200 further includes a cable 270, outflow tubing 280,and vacuum tubing 290.

Surgical instrument 210 includes a surgical instrument such as tissueresecting handpiece 212 that may be configured as a reusable componentand a tissue resecting end effector assembly 214 that may be configuredas a single-use, disposable component. Handpiece 212 includes a housing216 to facilitate grasping and manipulation of surgical instrument 210by a user. Handpiece 212 further includes an output interface 218configured to operably engage end effector assembly 214, a motor 220disposed within housing 216 and operably coupled to output interface 218to drive output interface 218 and, thus, drive end effector assembly214, and a module dock 222 configured to mechanically engage andelectrically coupled to a valve module 282 associated with outflowtubing 280, as detailed below. Cable 270 electrically couples handpiece212 and control console 230 with one another and, more specifically,electrically couples control console 230 with motor 220 to power andcontrol operation of motor 220 and electrically couples control console230 with valve module 282 to enable communication of, for example,identification, setting, and control information therebetween. Inaspects of the disclosure, cable 270 is fixedly attached to handpiece212 and releasably couplable with control console 230, although otherconfigurations are also contemplated.

End effector assembly 214 includes a proximal hub 224 configured toreleasably engage housing 216 of handpiece 212 to releasablymechanically engage end effector assembly 214 with handpiece 212. Endeffector assembly 214 further includes an outer shaft 226 extendingdistally from proximal hub 224 and a cutting shaft 228 extending throughouter shaft 226. A proximal end of cutting shaft 228 extends intoproximal hub 224 wherein an input interface 229 is engaged with cuttingshaft 228. Input interface 229 is configured to operably couple tooutput interface 218 of handpiece 212 when proximal hub 224 is engagedwith housing 216 such that, when motor 220 is activated to drive outputinterface 218, input interface 229 is driven in a corresponding mannerto thereby move cutting shaft 228 within and relative to outer shaft226.

Outer shaft 226, as noted above, extends distally from proximal hub 224and, in aspects of the disclosure, is stationary relative to proximalhub 224, although other configurations are also contemplated. Outershaft 226 may define a window (not shown) through a side wall thereoftowards a distal end thereof to provide access to cutting shaft 228which is rotatably and/or translatably disposed within outer shaft 226.Cutting shaft 228 may define an opening (not shown) towards the distalend thereof providing access to the interior thereof and may include aserrated cutting edge (not shown) surrounding the opening, althoughother suitable cutting edge configurations are also contemplated.Alternatively, or additionally, outer shaft 226 may include a cuttingedge defined about the window thereof.

Motor 220, as noted above, is activated to move cutting shaft 228 and,more specifically, to drive rotation and/or translation of cutting shaft228 relative to outer shaft 226. Control console 230, coupled to motor220 via cable 270, enables selective powering and controlling of motor220 and, thus, selective rotation and/or translation of cutting shaft228 relative to outer shaft 226 to resect tissue adjacent the distal endof end effector assembly 214.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 2, a distal end 284 of outflow tubing280 is coupled to proximal hub 224 of end effector assembly 214 in fluidcommunication with the interior of cutting shaft 228 and/or the interiorof outer shaft 226 such that fluid, tissue, and debris drawn intocutting shaft 228 and/or outer shaft 226 may be suctioned, under vacuum,through end effector assembly 214 and outflow tubing 280. A proximal end286 of outflow tubing 280 is coupled to collection canister 250 toenable the fluid, tissue, and debris suctioned through end effectorassembly 214 and outflow tubing 280 to be deposited within collectioncanister 250. Distal end 284 of outflow tubing 280 may be fixedlysecured to proximal hub 224 while proximal end 286 of outflow tubing 280is configured to releasably couple to collection canister 250, althoughother configurations are also contemplated.

Outflow tubing 280 further includes, as noted above, a valve module 282.Valve module 282 is disposed between distal and proximal ends 284, 286,respectively, of outflow tubing 280. Valve module 282 includes acontrollable valve 287 disposed within the flow path defined throughoutflow tubing 280 to selectively permit and inhibit flow therethroughand/or to control the flow rate therethrough, and a communication device289, e.g., a RFID tag, storing information regarding end effectorassembly 214 such as, for example, identifying information, use settinginformation, etc. Valve module 282 is configured for releasableengagement with module dock 222 of handpiece in electrical communicationtherewith. With valve module 282 engaged with module dock 222 and, asdetailed above, module dock 222 coupled to control console 230 via cable270, the information stored on communication device 289 of valve module282 may be communicated to control console 230 (via a communicationreceiver, e.g., an RFID reader, of module dock 222 and cable 270) foruse in controlling motor 220 to drive end effector assembly 214 inaccordance with the settings, parameters, and/or other configurationthereof, and/or to control controllable valve 287, e.g., in accordancewith the activation/deactivation of motor 220, the position and/ororientation of cutting shaft 228, or in any other suitable manner. Thus,end effector assemblies 214 of various different configurations(different length, diameter, cutting arrangement, outflow tubeconfiguration, etc.) may be utilized with handpiece 212 and controlconsole 230 in a plug-and-play manner.

Referring still to FIG. 2, collection canister 250, as noted above, iscoupled to proximal end 286 of outflow tubing 280 to receive the fluid,tissue, and debris suctioned through end effector assembly 214 andoutflow tubing 280. Vacuum tubing 290 is coupled between collectioncanister 250 and a vacuum source (see, e.g., vacuum source 101 ofFIG. 1) disposed within or otherwise associated with control console 230such that, upon activation of the vacuum source, negative pressure isestablished through collection canister 250, outflow tubing 280, and theinterior of cutting shaft 228 and/or outer shaft 226 of end effectorassembly 214 to draw the fluids, tissue, and debris into and throughcutting shaft 228 and/or outer shaft 226, outflow tubing 280, and intocollection canister 250.

Control console 230, as noted above, is configured to receiveinformation from communication device 289 of valve module 282 and, basedat least in part on that information, control motor 220 of handpiece212, control controllable valve 287 of valve module 282, and operate thevacuum source thereof to resect tissue and suction resected tissue,fluid, and debris through end effector assembly 214 and outflow tubing280 for depositing into collection canister 250. Control console 230generally includes an outer housing 232, a touch-screen display 234accessible from the exterior of outer housing 232, a cable port 236configured to receive cable 270, and a vacuum tube port 238 configuredto receive vacuum tube 290. Outer housing 232 houses internalelectronics (not shown) as well as the vacuum source. Control console230 may be configured to connect to a mains power supply (not shown) forpowering control console 230. Further, control console 230 may beconfigured to receive user input, e.g., use information, settingselections, etc., via touch-screen display 234 or a peripheral inputdevice (not shown) coupled to control console 230. Operational input,e.g., ON/OFF signals, power level settings (HI power vs. LO power),etc., may likewise be input via touch-screen display 234 or a peripheralinput device (not shown) such as, for example, a footswitch (not shown),a handswitch (not shown) disposed on handpiece 212, etc.

In preparation for use, end effector assembly 214 is engaged withhandpiece 212, valve module 282 is engaged within module dock 222, cable270 is coupled to control console 230 (and handpiece 212 if not alreadyconnected thereto), proximal end 286 of outflow tubing 280 is coupled tocollection canister 250 (and distal end 284 thereof to end effectorassembly 214 if not already connected thereto), and vacuum tubing 290 iscoupled between vacuum tube input 238 of control console 230 andcollection canister 250. The connections between valve module 282 andmodule dock 222 and between cable 270 and control console 2, as detailedabove, enable communication of information regarding end effectorassembly 214 (and, in embodiments, outflow tubing 280) to controlconsole 230 to enable control console 230 to adjust setting information,use parameters, etc., based thereupon.

In use, upon an activation input provided to control console 230,control console 230 powers and controls motor 220 of handpiece 212 to,in turn, drive cutting shaft 228 of end effector assembly 214 to resecttissue adjacent the distal end of end effector assembly 214. Duringactivation, control console 230 also controls controllable valve 287 andthe vacuum source disposed within control console 230 to suction fluid,the resected tissue, and debris through cutting shaft 228 and/or outershaft 226, outflow tubing 280, and into collection canister 250.

As demonstrated above, surgical system 200 provides a configurationwhereby handpiece 212 and control console 230 remain isolated from thefluid, tissue, and debris suctioned through surgical instrument 210 andinto collection canister 250, thus facilitating the cleaning process forreuse of handpiece 212 and control console 230. More specifically, whilevalve module 282 is coupled to module dock 222, module dock 222communicates signals (electrical and/or mechanical) to controlcontrollable valve 287 of valve module 282 without requiring contactwith the flow path through outflow tubing 280 and/or controllable valve287. End effector assembly 214 and outflow tubing 280, on the otherhand, may together be configured as a single-use component that isdiscarded after use.

Referring to FIG. 3, an outflow collection system provided in accordancewith aspects of the disclosure is shown generally identified byreference numeral 300. Outflow collection system 300 includes a surgicaldrape 310, a fluid outflow line 320, a collection vessel 350, a suctionline 390, and a vacuum source, e.g., a control console 330 including avacuum pump 331. Outflow collection system 300 may further include oneor more instrument lines (not shown) connected between one or moresurgical instruments (not shown), e.g., an hysteroscope, a tissueresection device, etc., and the collection vessel 350 or an additionalcollection vessel.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 3, surgical drape 310 is positionedwith a flap 314 thereof positioned underneath a patient “P,” e.g.,between the patient “P” and the operating table “T,” with afunnel-shaped body 316 of the surgical drape 310 depending from the flap314 and an end of the operating table “T.” The funnel-shaped body 316defines an open, upper base end 317 a configured to collect liquid,e.g., dripping out of the patient “P” and/or onto the operating table“T,” and a lower, apex end 317 b that defines outflow opening 312,through which the collected liquid is configured to flow. The distal end384 of suction line 380 is connected to outflow opening 312.

Suction line 380 extends to collection vessel 350 and is connected to afirst port 332 of collection vessel 350. Collection vessel 350 furtherincludes a second port 334 configured to receive distal end 394 end ofsuction line 390. The proximal end 392 of suction line 390 is coupled toa vacuum source, e.g., vacuum pump 331 of control console 330, suchthat, upon activation of vacuum pump 331, negative pressure isestablished through collection vessel 350 and fluid outflow line 380 todraw liquids collected in surgical drape 310 from surgical drape 310,through fluid outflow line 380, to collection vessel 350.

The various embodiments disclosed herein may also be configured to workwith robotic surgical systems and what is commonly referred to as“Telesurgery.” Such systems employ various robotic elements to assistthe surgeon and allow remote operation (or partial remote operation) ofsurgical instrumentation. Various robotic arms, gears, cams, pulleys,electric and mechanical motors, etc. may be employed for this purposeand may be designed with a robotic surgical system to assist the surgeonduring the course of an operation or treatment. Such robotic systems mayinclude remotely steerable systems, automatically flexible surgicalsystems, remotely flexible surgical systems, remotely articulatingsurgical systems, wireless surgical systems, modular or selectivelyconfigurable remotely operated surgical systems, etc.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings,those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications canalso be made to the disclosure without departing from the scope of thesame. While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, asit is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art willallow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of theclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A collection system for managing outflow from agynecological surgical procedure, the collection system comprising: asurgical instrument; a vacuum source; a first collection vessel; a firstfluid outflow line connected between the surgical instrument and thefirst collection vessel, the first fluid outflow line configured toprovide an outflow path for fluid from the surgical instrument to thefirst collection vessel; a first suction line connected between thevacuum source and the first collection vessel, the first suction lineconfigured to provide suction to draw fluid from the surgical instrumentto the first collection vessel; a surgical drape configured to collectliquid; a second collection vessel; a second fluid outflow lineconnected between the surgical drape and the second collection vessel,the second fluid outflow line configured to provide an outflow path forfluid from the surgical drape to the second collection vessel; a secondsuction line connected with the second collection vessel, the secondsuction line configured to provide suction to draw fluid from thesurgical drape to the second collection vessel, wherein a portion of thesecond suction line branches between a third suction line and a fourthsuction line arranged in-parallel with the third suction line, the thirdsuction line and the fourth suction line each connected with the vacuumsource; a flow restrictor disposed along the third suction line; and avalve disposed along the fourth suction line, wherein the valve isconfigured to be opened in a pulsatile fashion when fluid is present inthe surgical drape to increase a level of suction provided to thesurgical drape.
 2. The collection system of claim 1, further including asensor connected with the third suction line and the valve, the sensorconfigured to detect a presence of fluid in the surgical drape, and thesensor configured to open the valve in the pulsatile fashion to suctionfluid from the surgical drape to the second collection vessel.
 3. Thecollection system of claim 2, wherein the sensor detects the presence offluid in the surgical drape based on an increase in pressure in thethird suction line.
 4. The collection system of claim 1, wherein openingor closing of the valve is configured to maintain at least some suctionat the surgical instrument when fluid is present in the surgical drape.5. The collection system of claim 1, wherein the valve remains closedwhen fluid is absent from the surgical drape.
 6. The collection systemof claim 1, wherein the first suction line is coupled to the secondsuction line.
 7. The collection system of claim 1, wherein the amount ofsuction provided to the surgical drape when fluid is present in thesurgical drape is less than a maximum suction level that can be providedby the vacuum source.
 8. The collection system of claim 1, wherein afirst end of the second fluid outflow line is connected with a bottom ofthe surgical drape, and a second end of the second fluid outflow line isconnected with a top of the second collection vessel.
 9. The collectionsystem of claim 8, wherein the second fluid outflow line is configuredto suction fluid against a force of gravity from the surgical drape tothe second collection vessel.
 10. The collection system of claim 1,further including an operating console configured to operate the vacuumsource.
 11. The collection system of claim 10, wherein the operatingconsole includes a display device.
 12. A collection system for managingoutflow from a gynecological surgical procedure, the collection systemcomprising: a vacuum source; a collection vessel; a surgical drapeconfigured to collect liquid; a fluid outflow line connected between thesurgical drape and the collection vessel, the fluid outflow lineconfigured to provide an outflow path for fluid to the collectionvessel; a suction line connected with the collection vessel, the suctionline configured to provide suction to draw fluid through the fluidoutflow line to the collection vessel, wherein the suction line branchesinto a first suction line and a second suction line arranged in-parallelwith the first suction line, the first suction line and the secondsuction line each connected with the vacuum source; a flow restrictordisposed along the first suction line; and a valve disposed along thesecond suction line, wherein the valve is configured to be opened in apulsatile fashion when fluid is present in the surgical drape toincrease a level of suction provided to the surgical drape.
 13. Thecollection system of claim 12, further including a sensor connected withthe first suction line and the valve, the sensor configured to detect apresence of fluid in the surgical drape, and the sensor configured toopen the valve in the pulsatile fashion to suction fluid from thesurgical drape to the collection vessel.
 14. The collection system ofclaim 13, wherein the sensor detects the presence of fluid in thesurgical drape based on an increase in pressure in the third suctionline.
 15. The collection system of claim 12, wherein the valve remainsclosed when fluid is absent from the surgical drape.
 16. The collectionsystem of claim 12, wherein the amount of suction provided to thesurgical drape when fluid is present in the surgical drape is less thana maximum suction level that can be provided by the vacuum source. 17.The collection system of claim 12, wherein a first end of the fluidoutflow line is connected with a bottom of the surgical drape, and asecond end of the fluid outflow line is connected with a top of thesecond collection vessel.
 18. The collection system of claim 17, whereinthe fluid outflow line is configured to suction fluid against a force ofgravity from the surgical drape to the collection vessel.
 19. Thecollection system of claim 12, further including an operating consoleconfigured to operate the vacuum source.
 20. The collection system ofclaim 19, wherein the operating console includes a display device.